Abstract: To deal with climate change, the present invention provides an eco-engineering for systematic carbon mitigation, in particular, a comprehensive carbon management system with a group of Stabilized Functional Carbons (SFCs) to reduce the total amount of carbons in atmosphere. SFCs are sourced and manufactured from the carbon-fixed biomass by one of the seven thermo-chemical treatments or one dehydration treatment with no less than 75% carbon conversion rates of the source material. The present invention transforms the perishable biomass into SFCs, which act as a carbon sink with stability and safety for at least 40 years' storage. The primary eco-friendly carbon and non-carbon mitigation are achieved by the sourcing, manufacturing and storage of SFCs. The advanced eco-friendly carbon and non-carbon mitigation are achieved at various pollution emission sources by the resource utilization of SFCs. An annual total amount of 0.5-10 billion tons of carbon emission could be reduced globally.

Abstract: An oxidative thermochemical drying treatment of naturally occurring organic substances, to prepare a new class of hydrophobic oleophilic products, and a new class of hydrophilic oleophilic ones. The treatment comprises moistening and heating the raw materials in a thermochemical apparatus equipped with a gas flow system, in an oxidizing medium for a period of time. The efficiency of the treatment can be improved by pretreatments of the raw materials, such as by boiling in water, by soaking in acidic or alkaline solution, by mechanically expanding, by adding volatile reagents and by freezing. A special pretreatment of the raw materials with carbonate or bicarbonate results in hydrophilic oleophilic products. The series of the hydrophobic oleophilic and hydrophilic oleophilic products made from different natural substances under various oxidative thermochemical drying conditions have different characteristics and are low-cost, biodegradable, environmentally harmless and widely useful.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxidative thermochemical drying process for changing the hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics of organic substances, in particular naturally occurring organic substances, to prepare a new class of hydrophobic oleophilic products, and a new class of hydrophilic oleophilic ones. The process comprises moistening and heating the raw materials in a thermochemical convection apparatus or kiln equipped with a gas flow system, in an oxidizing medium for a predetermined period of time. The efficiency of the treatment can be improved by pretreatments of the raw materials, such as by boiling in water, by soaking in acidic or alkaline solution, by mechanically expanding; by adding volatile reagents and by freezing. One unique pretreatment with carbonate or bicarbonate of the raw materials results in hydrophilic oleophilic bi-functional products.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining micromolar levels of lead ion in various fluids, including blood. Detection of lead or other heavy metal ion concentrations as low as 1 .mu.g/dL is achieved. The methods are adaptable to the detection of low levels of lead in whole blood, employing a novel separation and release of lead ion from lead chelating agents. The disclosed methods employ isocitrate dehydrogenase-based electrodes which are particularly suited for detecting nanomolar levels of lead.